How Technology Disrupts Work-Life Balance

How Technology Disrupts Work-Life Balance

Unbalanced

Just one-third of employees surveyed strongly agree that they have good work-life balance.

Bad Bosses

60% said that demanding, overbearing or otherwise "bad" bosses have a significantly negative impact on work-life balance, and 39% said constantly needing to work beyond standard business hours does.

Rigid Rules

39% said inflexibility in scheduling work hours and time off has a major negative impact on work-life balance, and 31% said incompetent colleagues do.

Off-Limits

89% of respondents said they don't want their employer to contact them during their personal time or give clients their contact information.

Loaded Plate

More than half feel tech has ruined the family dinner because employers and clients demand responses at any hour. Still, 40% think it's OK to answer an urgent work email during a family meal.

MIA

Nearly two out of five respondents have missed important life events due to work.

Fallout Factors

51% said missing birthdays, anniversaries and other life events is one of the worst consequences of poor work-life balance, and 50% said spending less time with family and friends has a significant negative impact.

Out of the Picture

Only a minority of workers surveyed think they have good work-life balance, and they cite the constant access to technology as a primary culprit, according to a recent survey conducted by the Harris Poll for Workfront. The "Work-Life Imbalance Report" points out that a combination of demanding bosses, the constant need to work outside of normal hours and inflexible schedules regularly intrude on personal time. As a result, many employees have missed major life occasions, such as birthdays and their children's events, and most feel that the concept of the family dinner has essentially been ruined. Citing other research, Workfront notes that studies show that employees are more focused when they receive appropriate amounts of downtime. The company suggests that employers should establish acceptable times to send and receive emails (and when not to send messages), and should encourage their staffers to use all their available paid time off (PTO). "Technology is infused throughout our modern lifestyle—be it in the home or at work—but we need to be conscientious about how and when to use it," advises Joe Staples, CMO of Workfront. "More times than not, there are no parameters set by employers on what they require from employees after hours. So the default can be an always-on lifestyle—with a potential for burnout." More than 600 workers took part in the survey.